Douglas Railway Station - Signal Box

Signal Box

Built in 1892 and located at the end of the yard, the 36-lever frame signal box was built by Dutton & Co., of Worcester and supplied to the railway when the yard was further modified and at the same time as the workshops were extended. The 'box features a set of characteristic wooden external steps that must be climbed to access the levers, with storage space beneath the timber-built top section, this would have housed all the linkage and control gear. The top section also features a three-quarter glazed section and integral fireplace, from where the signalman on duty could command a view of the entire yard. Controlling every traffic movement from passenger trains to complex shunting procedures, the 'box remained in use until the summer of 1970 when the linkage was replaced with hand operated point levers in the yard.

This came about after the Peel and Ramsey lines closed in 1968 and it was not deemed necessary to retain the box and its two members of staff. Since that time the building has been relocated to make way for the new transport headquarters and Bus Vannin garages in 1998, moving forward from its original site at the same time as the 1893 carriage shed was demolished. Today it remains out of use but is occasionally open to the public as part of annual transport festivals hosted by the railway. During these events the box is tended to and manned by members of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association a local voluntary organisation. The 'box houses a number of special train headboards, paraffin signal lamps, tri-colour torches and well as some ancillary locomotive parts.